For Jews on a journey to wholeness and a deep intellectual connection to the Divine, the path to Temple Chai in Phoenix may help illuminate the way. The Temple’s Deutsch Family Shalom Center, created in 1996, is a resource center that promotes education, support groups and spiritual development by fusing Jewish wisdom, tradition and compassion.
At this spiritual oasis in Phoenix, participants grow, learn, grieve and heal while expanding their horizons regarding the many facets of spirituality and Jewish enlightenment. Rabbis, authors and educators lead programs that not only stimulate the intellect and imagination, but also enhance peace of mind, body and soul, as well. Examples of the intriguing fusion of educational and spiritual modalities include Torah study, Jewish wisdom, psalms, poetry, support networks, meditation, relaxation techniques, yoga and liturgy.
A particularly bright star in the center’s educational galaxy is the study of Mussar, a Jewish ethical, educational and cultural movement that began in 19th century Eastern Europe. The courses, which are central to the educational dynamic of the center, use material based on the book Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis. Struggling to fully comprehend and navigate the moral complexities of life, participants study in small groups, and use meditation and journaling to expand the experience. Classes last 13 weeks, during which participants meet every other week in small groups and with study partners.
“The center is a premier and nationally recognized trendsetter in the field of Jewish healing initiatives,” says Rabbi Bonnie Koppell, one of the temple’s two rabbis. “It is the heartbeat of the temple. I am incredibly proud of the work of the center and also feel incredibly blessed to be part of the community that supports this holy work.” The Shalom Center was the brainchild of Rabbi Bill Berk, the rabbi emeritus of Temple Chai, and congregant Sharona Sharona. In the late 1980s, Berk concluded the temple needed to be more responsive to congregants who were experiencing issues of loneliness, parenting difficulties, bereavement and challenging life transitions. Sharing his concerns with Sharona, the two initiated the Beit Tikkun (house of healing) committee, a group consisting of social workers, psychotherapists, physicians and health care providers. The group included bereavement support groups as well as a few educational programs.
The small but committed group eventually grew wings and took flight. The catalyst was Sharona. With a master’s in public health and a strong interest in helping others, she attended a conference on Jewish healing in 1996. Soon her ideas started percolating.
“I envisioned the possibilities of creating similar educational experiences at Temple Chai that embraced the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual realms,” she relates. Fortunately Berk was equally enthusiastic about expanding the breadth and scope of the committee, and the Shalom Center was born. Currently, Sharona relates she receives calls from congregations all over the country that want to emulate the dynamics of the Shalom Center.
Trained by The Mussar Institute, Sharona is currently teaching Seasons of Mussar I and II, which explore the soul traits (middot) of gratitude, trust, anger, honor, alacrity, patience, forgiveness, simplicity, strength, faith and loving kindness. “I believe it is one of the best tools to bring balance into your life, no matter what level of Judaism you practice,” says Sharona.
At the Shalom Center, education is synonymous with cultivating Jewish wisdom and practice. Gatherings throughout the year deepen participants’ understanding of Jewish healing practices, and the many mitzvot of healing are the building blocks to achieve this end. A healing series of lectures and workshops is ongoing and continually evolving. Prior events included classes about Shabbat, book groups, gatherings of congregants to prepare food for those in need, shiva training, knitting items of comfort for members in need, and classes on aging, cancer and care for older parents. The center also hosts learned individuals to teach and guide participants with traditional and contemporary Jewish approaches to healing and growth. Parenting education workshops help parents raise healthy, ethical and self-reliant children.
Life transition support classes are also an integral part of the Shalom Center. Classes have included: Caring for Loved Ones – a Jewish support and resource group for families and caregivers; JACS – a support group for Jewish alcoholics and chemically dependent persons and their loved ones; (note: co-sponsored by the Shalom Center, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, and the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center. The meetings are held at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center); Life after Death of a Child; Living though Loss bereavement support group; and Rebuilding Your Life support group for widowed, separated or divorced men and women. Past conferences have included: Celebrating Aging, Job Transitions, Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Dementia Care and Conscious Living and Dying.
“Labor of love” tactile creations create healing energy at the center. Members gather to work on projects such as knitted shawls and the Mi Shebeirach Tapestries. Smaller squares, created in various media such as embroidery, beading, rhinestones, photo transfers and fabric paint, are sewn together to create large and colorful tapestries. The result is a symbolic collection of positive thoughts, images, and/or symbols of healing, love, peace and well-being. “The tapestries are brought into the sanctuary at Yom Kippur and positioned around the room,” says Sharona. This gives those in need of healing an opportunity to be enveloped in their comforting warmth. We had 100 people use them during our last Yom Kippur service.” All of these projects combined with the cornucopia of educational opportunities keep the center flourishing.
“The caring community at the Shalom Center is a core value at Temple Chai,” says member Alan Zeichick. “If you are looking for healing and dealing with people in need or pain, I have never seen another temple that focuses on it as much as Temple Chai.”
Temple member Beth Isaacs echos Zeichick’s sentiments. “The temple has so many programs,” she says. “I have had a death in my family, and my daughter has been in need. The temple and Shalom Center have come through more than expected. It is a community that reaches out to everybody.”
All programs at Temple Chai are open to everyone in the community. There is a charge for Mussar and an occasional minimal charge for workshops. In January Temple Chai will partner with the New Shul and Valley Beit Midrash to sponsor “The Spiritual Journey of Daily Living; A Mussar and Meditation Retreat.”
Shacharit Meditation Services are held on the third Saturday of each month from 11:15 am-12:30 pm with Howard Silverman, M.D. No prior experience is necessary.
Shalom Center: Temple Chai, 4645 E Marilyn Road | Phoenix | 602-971-1234 | templechai.com
Meditation and Mussar Retreat
Sunday, Jan. 18: 10 am to 5 pm at New Shul, 7825 E Paradise Lane, Scottsdale
Monday, Jan. 19: 10 am-1 pm at Temple Chai, 4645 E Marilyn Road, Phoenix
Cost: $54, includes Sunday lunch and Monday breakfast • Register: valleybeitmidrash.org
